The days of begging your parents for that new Gameboy system are over; that is, unless they’re willing to take out a loan.

With the highly anticipated Nintendo 3DS handheld system set for a February release in Japan, one thing gamers are not looking forward to is the price. The 3DS’s price tag is set for 25,000 yen in Japan, which is equivalent $300 in the U.S. Though that figure is not the official price in the states, it does make me wonder: Is the bang still worth the buck?

Yes, the Nintendo 3DS has full 3-dimensional capabilities. Yes, it has improved graphics capability, three cameras and an analog stick. Hell, you can even play the handheld system without wearing those dorky red-and-blue glasses.

But it’s just not worth $300.

The new 3DS shelf-tag is a fresh reminder to gamers that video games and their hardware are simply becoming too expensive. In these uneasy economic times, it gets extremely difficult for gamers like me to keep up with the new gadgets, gizmos and glitz that are released every year, especially when buying a single video game can eat up one-third of my paycheck.

So maybe I should take up a new hobby, like basket weaving.

One thing that really bothers me about the Nintendo 3DS is that everything in this new “system” has already been implemented in their previous DS systems. For example, the multi-camera system that is in the 3DS was first added last year to the Nintendo DSi. There’s nothing new, or really impressive, about that.

However, Nintendo is not the only one to blame for burning their customers’ empty wallets. Blame us, the consumers who asked for it. We want Nintendo to implement 3D into their hardware. We want Microsoft and Sony to develop motion technology for their games. But we as consumers also have to pay for it, and sometimes, we’re just not getting a fair deal.

For example, even though the new Nintendo 3DS has improved specifications as compared to the original Nintendo DS, there are not many original titles that will be released when the system launches in Japan. In fact, most of the games that are being released for the 3DS are re-releases, like “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D,” or sequels, like “Kid Icarus: Uprising.”

And honestly, I already own three copies of “Zelda: Ocarina of Time.” Why do I need to buy another one?

The reason is pretty simple. Though hardcore and casual gamers alike want game developers to improve the overall specifications of their consoles, they do not want new games. Compare video game shopping to buying your second car: We want a new car that has all of the nice features but also is familiar, safe and reliable.

So we as consumers continuously throw money at video game companies to give us “Old Reliable,” but we never see a true return on our investment in the technology, and game companies are making money off it. Lots of it.

I refuse to buy a new system to play the same old games that I have already played. Once I get something fresh and original, I may consider taking out that loan to buy a $300 portable system.

Once I complete my basket.